Larry Shaffer, 51

On Jan. 27, 2014 a helicopter crash on Dry Hollow Road claimed the life of one of God’s most faithful servants. Larry Shaffer, a 28-year journeyman lineman and crew foreman, and a 30-year devoted, faithful husband, was inspecting power lines when the helicopter clipped the wire and crashed, killing Larry and two helicopter crewmen.

Larry was born in Montrose, Colorado, in 1962, and was raised in Norwood, Colorado. A true farm boy, cowboy, and workhorse, he grew up in farming and ranching with his brothers: Buck, Mark and Theron; sister, Sandy; mother, Annie; and father, Danny. He married Joanna Cobb in December 1983, and was the proud father of two sons, Dane and Cole, and daughter, Stefanie, and a grandfather of two; Hannah and Blake.

Larry placed one thing only above his family, and that was his salvation. Not an earthly man, he placed little value on material things, but spent each day, as he likes to say, “laying up treasure in Heaven.” A more giving and gentle-souled man never existed. We all know that when we get to the gates of Heaven, there he’ll be, pacing back-and-forth, waiting to show us around. There is a hole in our hearts that will remain there until we meet again.

Services will be held Saturday, Feb. 1, 2014 at 1 p.m. at the Rifle High School, 1350 Prefontaine Ave.